will.i.am was lucky enough to have worked with Michael Jackson before the pop icon's tragic passing last year, and recently spoke out against Sony Music for releasing an album of his previously unheard material, because he believes it to be in poor taste!

He explained:

“Whoever put it out and is profiting off of it, I want to see how cold they are, to say that what [Michael] contributed during his life wasn’t enough. He just wasn’t any ordinary artist. He was a hands-on person. To me it’s disrespectful. There’s no honoring. Michael Jackson songs are finished when Michael says they’re finished. Maybe if I never worked with him I wouldn’t have this perspective. He was very particular about how he wanted his vocals, the reverb he used…he was that hands-on.”

We definitely agree with this one - especially after hearing "Breaking News!"

There's obviously a reason that this material wasn't released in the first place, so why do it now, when the man behind it can't be around to give his approval?

"When I heard these songs, my heart cried hearing Michael again in good spirits. The vocals sounded very polished, very on key and processed. I have no doubts that these are Michael's vocals."

MJ's new song Breaking News has been the source of some controversy, and Michael's nephews have tweeted about it, saying that his voice isn't the one featured on the song.

Here's what his nephews Taryll, Taj, and TJ tweeted about the song:

"I KNOW my Uncle's voice and something's seriously wrong when you have immediate FAMILY saying it's not him. Don't you have to wonder why? I have strong, undeniable points. They can't give me answers, yet continue to move forward with lies and deception. Sounding like Michael Jackson and BEING Michael Jackson are two different things."

Michael's brother Jackie also commented on the song via Twitter:

"My friend John McClain (co-executor) and I have insisted for many weeks to have certain tracks removed from Michael's new album. Unfortunately, our concerns were not taken seriously."

Here's what Riley said in response to complaints about the songs:

"I did what Michael would expect of me with the tools I had to work with (vocal tracks of Michael). This is his legacy. Let it live."

Another one of Michael's former managers, Frank Dileo, also vouched for the songs:

"I spoke to Michael by telephone at the Cascios' home studio several times while he was recording with them, and he was excited and enthused by the music and the experience. While listening to the tracks, especially the ones not heard by the general public, you can hear that he was having a great time!"

We can accept that these songs were actually performed by Michael, although to be perfectly honest, maybe it would be better if they weren't. We were FAR from blown away by his new song, Breaking News.

What do U think about MJ's song controversy? Do U think his new music is legit?

"My metabolism actually changed like crazy this year. I have Hashimoto's disease. It's a thyroid disease, and it's now been two years since taking the medication for it, so for the VS show I didn't want to lose any more weight, I just want to have muscles in the right place, and if my butt can get a little perkier, then that's good."